The "Event" after the Heart Challenge

Although the Heart Challenge was over at the first part of September, several members from the challenge ran Mike's Mad Dash on September 26th. It has been amazing to see the transformation of our group!

Right before the Heart Challenge started I walked a 5K. This time I was able to run/walk the 5K within 33 min 21 sec. I hope we all keep moving toward our goals.

I am scheduled to run another 5K on October 24th and hope to shave at least 3 min and 21 seconds off my time. I still have quite a ways to go before I reach my goal but I now know it is obtainable. Many thanks to Monica for walking with me at lunchtime. You are an amazing friend, co-worker, mom and wife! I also have to thank my trainer, Heidi. You are awesome!

Many thanks to Intermountain Healthcare for allowing me to receive this life changing experience. Intermountain's logo "Healing for Life" is truly a motto they live by.

Much Sadness

I haven't had the chance to blog for a while now. My family went to St. George on the 14th for a much needed vacation (to receive a call on the 17th in the middle of the night) that my father-in-law passed away after a two year battle with Lou Gehrigs (ALS). My father-in-law was one of the most kind men I know...he will be greatly missed. The next morning we were on our way home to repack and fly to upper Michigan. To add to the stress and sorrow, my little dog, Hobbs, was ill.

Over these past 11 days I have ate better than I would have under the same circumstances a year ago but have been pretty disappointed with myself that I have made the food choices I did. For several days it was difficult to exercise with the funeral, packing and traveling but have been exercising faithfully since. Sometimes I wish, under stress, that I would not eat. I know that this is not just a 100 day heart challenge but a lifetime challenge.

I look forward to getting back home and getting back into a routine again.

Summer Heat

Lately with the temperatures rising I have found it harder to get out and exercise. The heat has been very draining.

Today we had our nutrition class (thanks Jessica...you do an awesome job and we all appreciate you). We learned about all the nutrients your body receives when eating certain foods and I found it pretty enlightening. I now look at food in a different way. My life doesn't revolve around eating anymore. It revolves around family, work & exercise.

Tonight after I finished my Zumba class my son wanted to go out to dinner. I try not to eat out because that has been my downfall in the past. I ended up going to Wendy's for a chicken salad (and I'm about to start clucking with all the chicken I have eaten lately). My son on the other hand, went to McDonalds for a 900 calorie 1/3 lb angus burger. I gave him the lecture that one day he will be older (not old) like me and he won't be able to eat like that and not become the good year blimp. Right now he is a little twig so I guess he can do that. As much as I wanted a cheeseburger and fries I am glad at my choice and feel more empowered every time I turn down a "bad option".

There have been so many bonuses to this challenge: I was able to buy some pants that were two sizes smaller, I sleep better, I feel stronger, I am able to cope with stress and life's challenges better, I have more energy, I don't feel like I'm not good enough anymore, I am able to go out and have fun again and I am overall happier. This is something I could really get used to!

Although I still have a long way to go in the battle of the bulge I have hope because I look at how far I have come in just 43 days. It is amazing to see the changes in everyone that is doing this challenge and it has been fun to get to know everyone.

Heidi, my trainer, has been awesome to work with. She really challenges me and is always so positive. I have promised her that I will run in Mike's Mad Dash in August. This will be a stretch for me but I know I can do it. I have to keep reminding myself that although I do not like to run yet...I WILL SOMEDAY.

Thanks to all my friends, family and co-workers for supporting me. This has not been easy, but well worth it.

Cholesterol & Memory

Interesting tidbit I just read from Woman's Day (August 4th) issue. Having high LDL not only makes you worry about heart attack and stroke but also more prone to memory problems, including Alzheimer's. The article says to aim to keep your LDL below 100.

I'm thinking my memory isn't that great so I must keep moving and eating right.

Fresh Air

Friday I went hiking at Brighton with my friend, Melanie. The hike was vicious and we hiked to two different lakes. I almost smiled as I was hiking because it made me think of the movie "What About Bob" where he is taking baby steps. The initial hills were torture and when I said I don't know if I can do this she would tell me to take 70 steps and then rest. Those 70 steps made my legs feel like the were on fire. Thanks Melanie for getting me up the hill!! As you can tell from the picture I was so excited that I actually did it.

The scenery was incredible and the weather couldn't have been better.

Afterwards we went and had a healthy lunch at Mimi's Cafe and had a good chat.

I felt so good that when I got home I worked in my yard for almost two hours. I am anxious to go on a few more hiking trips now that I know I can do it!

The next morning (around 2:30 a.m.) I got the stomach flu and it wasn't pretty. So Traci, what I want to know is....do I have to count that food on my food log? :-) I have been sick all weekend so chicken noodle soup, crackers and poweraide have been my friend. I guess in a way it was a blessing in disguise so I didn't have to worry about some of the food challenges I would have getting together with family.

Gone Fishing

Friday morning at 6 a.m. we had a jump rope class. I was not dying with excitement to go since I have not jump roped since elementary school (and that was a few years ago) but wanted to be successful in my life change. Heidi kept the group going and when we weren't jumping, we were doing push ups and sit ups. It was a lot of fun but let me tell you...I was sweating for two hours afterwards.

Saturday morning rolled around way to early and my 7 a.m. turbo kick class turned into a fishing trip to Strawberry instead. It was a good thing because my feet, back and ankles were killing me and I needed a day off. As you can see, we caught dinner that night.

Sunday I spent several hours washing fruits and vegetables and prepping food for this week. I even made some of Monica Sage's apple muffins (highly recommended). Check out her blog for some great recipes. This evening my husband and I took our three dogs for almost a two hour walk. You know the saying that if your dog is fat, the owner probably is too. Let's just say we are all working on it.

Back in April my brother started to help me get in shape by setting up an exercise program. As I look back at my exercise and weight log I realized since April I have lost almost 15 lbs. It is good to see some of the weight come off but more important is the fact that overall I feel better.

Earlier this week I was feeling discouraged that I was not doing enough but my trainer, Heidi, got me back on track and in the mindset I need to be in. I am working on staying positive!

My saying for the week is "I'm adding years to my life and life to my years!"

Emotional Eater

During these past few weeks I have learned a few things about myself. I am definately an emotional eater. Right after I started this challenge one of my friends passed away and since then one of my boys has had surgery and the other was in a motorcycle accident this weekend and during those times I did what I do best...EAT. That is how I comfort myself. I also have a tendency to eat when I am bored or doing things that do not require much effort/thinking.



The morning after my friend passed I woke up feeling drained and just wanted to stay home and cry but forced myself to go to the gym. Now that I recognize triggers that cause me to overeat I have really worked hard at getting out of the kitchen and outside for a walk or to the gym when I start to feel that way.



Friday a group of friends from work went out to lunch. This is the first time I have been to a restaurant since I started the challenge and to be honest, I really wanted something from the main menu and not the "yucky (low cal/low carb) menu". I ordered tilapia and broccoli but really felt like I was missing out. I know I need to change my mindset about the whole "yucky" menu.



Saturday brought another challenge...my son wanted to go to McDonalds after we did our grocery shopping because it was getting late. Normally I wouldn't have thought twice about it but all of that hard work at the gym popped into my head and that cheeseburger and fries wasn't so appetizing after all. Tyson was a good sport and came home to have a healthy sandwich and raw veges instead.



I have tried a few new exercise classes this week and now have a good idea of what classes/teachers I enjoy most. Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. I had a turbo kick class. I thought I was going to kill over and die. Let's just say the teacher was ENERGETIC and didn't have an ounce of fat on her. I liked the class so much that I am going back next Saturday for another beating and to humor my teacher.



My new motto: "Eat to live....not live to eat".